It’s no secret — I really enjoy food. I look forward to it almost every day, and I bet you do too. From my egg and toast breakfast to my late-night popcorn fix, I've been fortunate enough to have good food in my life since I was young. I wouldn't say that the food I eat is the fanciest food in the world (except for maybe the bread!), but it seems like I am always able to get fresh bread, eggs, butter, veggies, and fruits whenever I need them. Perhaps you and I have this in common? If so, we are lucky. This is not everybody's reality, and many families don't know where their next meal will be coming from.
the New York Times reported that unemployment could be as high as 13%. I don't know what it really is, but anecdotally I can look at the strip mall we are located in and come to a similar conclusion. By sheer luck, the business we own is still running, albeit differently, since the Covid-19 outbreak. Luckily, we still have our employees, we are still baking bread and goodies, and people are still eating what we make.
I truly love this bakery and the community that we have been introduced to through it. It isn't about the bread you break, it's about who you break bread with. I am so grateful I have been able to break bread with you in some small way in our bakery. Part of our mission at Great Harvest is to Give Generously to Others, and now more than ever I think we really need to live our mission and live generously.
In my faith tradition we are encouraged to fast for 24 hours once a month. The purpose of this fast can be spiritual, it can be physical (see health benefits of fasting), and it can be temporal. After fasting we donate the money that we would have spent feeding ourselves to those in need. For me, fasting has helped me recognize the many physical blessings in my life. Like that heaping plate of veggie lasagna I had last night, or the clothes I put on this morning, or the roof I am sitting under right now. My circumstance is one of abundance and I am able to give one day of that excess each month.
At Great Harvest we are pledging to donate to those in need. In essence—a monthly “Great Fastest” (awful pun). We are going to make sure that we give away a day’s worth of bread sales each month to those in need.
If you have never fasted, consider trying it this month. Not spiritual? Don't worry! You don't need to do it for that reason. You could do it in solidarity and support for the humans around you who may be struggling to find their next meal. Your donation of otherwise-eaten food could make a huge difference for them.
So how about it? Will you join me and fast for those around you this month? Perhaps you are already giving to those around you or participate in a monthly fast, please consider sharing your experience with us here in the comments.
If you choose to, please consider donating to your local charities and those around you. You are also welcome to donate on our website www.eugenebread.com/shop all donations to our website are baked into delicious breads and donated locally to those in need. When you donate to us we will also match your donation, so your $10 will be worth $20 in bread to hungry people.
Comments